This book is designed based on the syllabus “Research Methods” for the course in Master of Theology under the Senate of Serampore College (University). The overriding objective of the book is to provide a basic understanding of various research methods within the broad umbrella of social science research method. The content includes mainly the social science research methods that are inalienable part of theological education, particularly for the Christian ministry department. The book consists of 15 chapters dealing with the main topics of the syllabus of Research Methods. The content includes different types of research methods, steps in research method, research design, how to formulate research problem, concept, theory and development of hypothesis. It also includes different types of data collection method, tabulation, analysis and interpretation of data, brief introduction of SPSS and ethics of inquiry. At the end, it discusses different qualitative research methods elaborately relevant for both secular and theological education. This book will provide immense help to Bachelor of Divinity students who are aspiring for higher studies. For the Master of Theology students, the book will help in their “Research Methods” course and for the Research scholars the book will be handy for the development of thesis proposal and also in actual research process.

Contents

Preface
Introduction

Chapter 1: Approach to Social Science Research

Introduction

1. Difference between Science and Common Sense
2. Characteristic of Scientific Research
3. Aims of Social Science Research

Chapter 2: Conventional/Traditional Research and Participatory Action Research: Logic and Structure

Introduction

1. Definition of Research
2. Method
3. Difference between Method and Methodology
4. What is Logic?
5. Logical Analysis: Its Elements
6. Structure
7. Conventional or Traditional Method
8. Participatory Action Research
9. Difference between Conventional/Traditional and Participatory Action Research

Chapter 3: Quantitative Method and Qualitative Method in Theological Research

Introduction

1. Quantitative Method
2. Qualitative Method

Chapter 4: Steps in Research Process

Introduction

1. Steps in the Research Process

Chapter 5: Types of Research and Research Design

Introduction

1. Definitions
2. Functions/Goals of Research Design
3. The Purpose of Research Design
4. Factors of Research Design
5. Requirements for Good Research Design
6. Advantages of Research Design
7. Types of Research and Research Design

Chapter 6: Selection and Formulation of Research Problem

Introduction

1. Selection of Research Topic
2. Factors that Affect the Selection of a Research Topic
3. Formulation of Research Topic
4. Conditions and Methods of Problem/Topic Formulation
5. Steps in Formulation of Research Problem/Topic

Chapter 7: Concept, Theory, Hypothesis and Variable

Introduction

1. Concept
2. Conceptualization
3. Construct
4. Theory and Fact
5. Hypothesis/Hypotheses
6. Variable

Chapter 8: Data Collection Methods-1

Introduction

1. Types of Data Collection Method
2. Methods of Data Collection
3. Questionnaire Method

Chapter 9: Data Collection Methods-2

Introduction

1. Interview Method
2. Types of Interview Method
3. Focus Group
4. Documentary Method
5. Oral Tradition/History
6. Artefacts
7. Written Documents
8. Audio-Video-Digital

Chapter 10: Case Study and Content Analysis

Introduction

1. Case Study: Meaning and Definition of Case Study
2. Content Analysis: Meaning and Definition

Chapter 11: Analysis of Case Materials and Documents

Introduction

1. Analysis of Case Materials
2. Documents Relating to Institutions
3. Community
4. Organizations
5. Political Parties

Chapter 12: Tabulation, Analysis and Interpretation

Introduction

1. Tabulation
2. Charts
3. Diagram
4. Figure
5. Index and Scale
6. Analysis and Interpretation of Data
7. Choice of Population
8. Sampling Design
9. Interpretation of Data

Chapter 13: Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)

Introduction

1. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)
2. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
3. T-test
4. Variance
5. Mean

Chapter 14: Ethics of Inquiry in Social Research

Introduction

1. Principles of Ethics of Inquiry
2. Social Responsibility of the Researcher

Chapter 15: Qualitative Research in Theological Education

Introduction

1. Ecological Psychology Method
2. Constructionism and Constructivism
3. Narratology or Narrative Analysis
4. Phenomenology
5. Heuristic Inquiry
6. Emic Approach in Social Research
7. Ethnomethodology
8. Grounded Theory

Rev. Prof. Shyam K. Basumatary, Ph.D. is Professor of Christian ministry and currently teaches Christian education at Eastern Theological College, Jorhat, Assam. He also leads Christian ministry department as its HOD. In the year 2015, he earned the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Theology from Toronto School of Theology, under the University of Toronto, Canada, affiliated with the Association of Theological Schools in North America and Canada. He has published four books: Keeping Faith: An Integrative Model of Christian Religious Education in Postcolonial Perspective, (2017); An Integrative Model of Christian Education in Postcolonial Perspective: A Subaltern Approach (2023), Mission and Ministry: Perspectives for 21-Century Bodo Churches (2023), A Concise Textbook of Educational Psychology: Guide for Christian Educators and Students (2025) 
He also has published a number of articles in reputed journals.